Electric signal means for vehicles



Aprifl 14, 1936., c E H ZQBZEZE:

- ELECTRIC SIGNAL MEANS FOR VEHICLES Filed May 16, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet Z .v c 60 5 30 64 21 f INVENTOR J AT ORNEY April] M, 1936. c. J EASTHAM ELECTRIC SIGNAL MEANS FOR VEHICLES 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 16, 1932 Patented Apr. 14, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELECTRIC SIGNAL MEANS FOR VEHICLES Application May 16, 1932, Serial No. 611,498

9 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in electric signal means for vehicles.

It is one of the principal objects of my invention to provide a manually set and automatically released circuit-control means for a vehicle-turn indicator.

It is another important object of my invention to provide indicator means visible to the driver, to disclose the setting and release of the circuit control means.

My device is of extremely simple and compact design, and is readily adapted to any vehicle, either as standard equipment at the factory or as an accessory to be installed by the owner.

The invention is of such a nature that it may be operated without hazard to the driver, leaving him free to direct his entire attention to the right of way. It is also a distinct aid to all others behind a vehicle so equipped, by displaying to them a vividly illuminated indication of the turn to be made.

Other important and incidental objects of the invention will be set forth in the following specification and subjoined claims.

In the accompanying drawings disclosing my invention, Figure 1 is a top view of my turn indicator control. Figure 2 is a cross sectional view through the control, taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a longitudinal section taken through the control on the line 4-4 of Figure 2. Figure 4 is also a longitudinal view through the control, taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2. Figure 5 is a schematic view of the control and external circuits. Figure 6 is a perspective View of the control attached to the steering column in the front part of the car.

Referring now to the drawings for a detailed description of my invention, the numeral I designates a rectangular base of non-conducting material. Attached to said base, and extending in-- wardly therefrom, is a metal frame 2. At each side of the base I, and adjacent the metal frame 2, there are provided side plates 3 and 4 also of non-conducting material. These plates and the metal frame are secured to the base I by axial screws 5, 5 that pass through the base from side to side, adjacent each end thereof.

Each of the plates 3 and 4, as shown at Figures 3 and 4, is rectangular where it is attached to the base I; and is of semi-circular contour at its opposite edge.

The plate 4 is provided near its center with an oblong opening 6 through which a hinge block housing I is inserted. (See Figure 2.) This housing has a downwardly formed ear 8 that is apertured to receive through it and the plate 4, a. terminal screw 9 securely held in place by a hex nut l6 and thumb screw IE] on its outer end. Opposite the ear 8, the housing 1 is formed with an offset and inwardly projecting contact plate 8*.

The side walls of the housing are apertured to receive therethrough a hinge pin II upon which there is hingedly secured a hinge block I l The inner face of the block II has a threaded hole that receives therein the threaded end of a re- 10 lease and contact pin I2. This pin extends transversely of the base I, at right angles to the pin I I, and through the leg of an inverted T-shaped slot IS in the opposite plate 3. (See Figures 1, 2,

3 and 4.)

Mounted on the plate 4, one on each side of the housing 1, are right-hand and left-hand contact plates I4 and I5, respectively.

Each of the plates I4 and I5 is secured to the plate 4 by terminal screws I6 and IT, to whose outer ends a hex nut I8 and thumb nuts I9 are applied. The plates I4 and I5 are formed inwardly along their lower edges at right angles to the plate 4, to provide spaced rectangular contacts 23 and 2! that are aligned to function as guides for a slotted cam block 22 of a non-conducting material.

The upper ends of the contact plates I4 and I5 are also formed inwardly at right angles with the plate 4, to provide base contacts 23 and 24. These contacts are oppositely disposed and inclined at an acute angle with the base I.

Adjacent the plate 3, above the block I, and at each end of the latter, the frame 2 is provided with alined holes 25-25 that receive through them, and through clearance holes 26-26 in a cover plate 2?, right and left hand actuating rods 28 and 29. Each of these rods 28 and 29 is threaded at its inner end for attachment tothe legs of an inverted U-shaped metal actuator block 33.

Integral with the top face of the metal block 30 are spaced ribs 3|3I between which a contact block 32 of non-conducting material is fitted. The inner faces of the block 32 and its confining ribs 3I-3I are beveled as shown at Figure 2.

Between two depending legs 33-33 of the block 30, the narrow neck portion of the cam block 22 is received and held in place by a screw 34 that passes upwardly through the block and 5 is received by a threaded hole in the contact block 32.

The upper portion of the block 30 at its outer ends is provided with clearance holes at right angles to the rods 28 and. 29. These holes are in alinement with the lower portion of the T-slot I3 and receive screws 35 and 36 that also pass through the latter.

Mounted on the outer ends of the screws 35-36 are right-hand and left-hand release pawls 31-38 respectively, held in place by a hex nut 39 and maintained at a desired spacing from the plate 3 by a spacer 40 on each of the screws 35-36. (See Figures 2 and 3.)

The pawls are of non-conducting material, and adjacent their ends they are of a rounded contour for smooth engagement with the actuating and release pin I2 with which they co-act.

In the adjacent ends of the pawls 31-38 are threaded holes that receive therein screws 4|, 4| to which are attached the ends of a helical tension spring 42. The function of this spring is to hold the pawls in an alined neutral position as shown at Figure 1.

The opposite free ends 43, 43 of these pawls are beveled outwardly to a. pointed end for engagement with the release means later to be described.

Rotatably mounted on the pin l2 within the casing 21 and above the contacts l2D-2I is an inverted U-shaped metal contact yoke 44 whose lower rounded legs 45 and 46 are adapted to slide or rest upon the top surface of the cam block 22. This yoke I4 is energized through with the block 30.

Where the pin |2 extends through the slot l3 and beyond the plate 3, it has attached to it one end of a helical tension spring 41 whose opposite end is secured to a screw 48 in the lower edge of the plate 3. The purpose of this spring is to hold the pin |2 firmly against the contact block 32, or, when the latter is shifted, as will presently be described, to force the yoke 44 into contact with either of the contacts 29 or 2|.

The metal casing 21 fully encloses all the mechanism between the plates 3 and 4 upon which it is supported. The free ends of this casing are apertured to receive screws 49 and 50 that pass downwardly through the base hex nuts 5| being applied to their outer ends. To the extended ends of the screws 49 and 58 are applied the band clip 52 and hex nuts 53 by which the control is attached to the steering wheel column immediately below the hub of the steering wheel of an automobile.

Where the casing 21 passes over the contacts 8 23 and 24, registering socket holes 54 are formed in it to receive miniature bulbs 55, 56 and 51 that engage the contacts through those holes for inclusion in an electric circuit to be hereinafter described.

Fitted upon the extreme outer ends of the rods 28, 29 are finger pieces 58 and 59 by which the rods are shifted. When released, the actuating rods 28 and 29 are returned to their normal central position by a helical compression spring 60 that surrounds the right-hand actuating rod 28 between the frame 2 and one of the legs 33 of the contact block; and another helical compression spring 6| that surrounds the left-hand actuating rod 29 between the opposite end of the frame and the other leg 33.

Now, when the actuating rod 28 is depressed to indicate that a right-hand turn is to be made by the driver, the contact block 32 and cam block 22 will be forced a sufficient distance to the left to clear the pin I2 and permit it to be drawn downwardly by the spring 41. The cam block will also be moved sufficiently to allow the leg 45 on the yoke 44 to firmly bear upon the contact plate 20 through the rotation of the yoke about the pin l2.

When the left actuating rod 29 is depressed to indicate that a left-hand turn is to be made by the driver, the contact block 32 and cam block 22 will move to the right in the same manner and permit the leg 46 to bear upon the contact plate 2|.

Referring now to Figure 6, I have shown my turn-indicator control attached to a steering col um 62 by the band clip 52. Secured to the lower portion of the hub of a steering wheel 63 is a release finger 64 formed with a lower offset portion 65.

When a right-hand turn is to be made and the actuating rod 28 is depressed to operate the control as previously described, the pawl 31 will be shifted to the dotted line position shown in Figure 6. The steering wheel and hub carrying the release finger 64 are now rotated to the right by the driver, as indicated by the arrow at Figure 6. The finger 64 will rotate the pawl 31 away from the pin I2 by engagement with the lower end 43 of the pawl. This does not release the pin |2 from its engagement with the outer face of the rib 3|.

When the driver, however, has completed the turn and the steering wheel is rotated to the left to straighten the path of the vehicle, the finger 64 will engage the tip 43 of the pawl 31 from the opposite side and rotate the latter sufiiciently to engage the pin l2 and force it from behind the stop shoulder formed by the rib 3|. The compressed spring 6| surrounding the rod 29, will now return the contact block 32 and cam block 22 to their normal positions and restore the yoke 44 to the position shown in Figure 4.

The electrical circuits embodied in the operation of my device include the storage battery of the vehicle, the negative pole of which is grounded to the vehicle frame. Connected with the positive pole of the battery is a lead I I8 that runs to one of the screws 5 extending throu h the frame 2. From here current is carried through the frame 2, actuating rods 28 and 29 and their respective springs 60, 6| to the actuator block 38, all other elements being insulated from both sides of the circuit except the cover 21, which is insulated from the control mechanism but grounded to the steering column through the clip 52. (See Figures 3 and 5.)

When the actuator rod 29 is depressed to indicate a left-hand turn, the actuator block will be moved to the right and the insulating block 32 will pass under the pin |2 to permit the latter to drop in front of one of the metal ribs 3|.

At this time, the lug 46 of the yoke 44 will be free to bear on the contact plate 2|. Current will now flow through the block 30, pin |2, to the terminal 9, and also through the yoke 44 to the contact plate 2| and terminal l1.

When either of the contact plates 29 or 2| is energized, the terminal 9 is also energized. The base contacts 23 and 24 integral with the contact plates 29 and 2|, will also be energized and their respective indicator bulbs 56 and 51 will be illuminated.

When the steering wheel is rotated in the reverse direction upon completion of a turn, the finger 65 will engage the pawl 31 if a right-hand turn has been made, or the pawl 38 if a left-hand turn is effected, and will force the pin |2 out of engagement with the shoulder on the block 38.

When the pin I2 is thus raised, the springs 68 and 6| will shift the insulated contact block 32 to a neutral position, thus breaking the circuit through all parts of the control unit.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A turn-indicator control comprising a casing, a pair of spaced, alined contacts fixed in said casing, a non-conducting block normally covering said contacts, means for shiftably mounting said block within the casing, whereby said block may be shifted to uncover one of said contacts while covering the other contact, means for shifting said block to cover one contact and uncover the other contact, and a hinged contact resting wholly upon the non-conducting block when the latter is in its central position, but free to engage the contact uncovered by the shiftable block.

A turn-indicator control comprising a casing, a pair of spaced, alined contacts fixed in said casing, a non-conducting cam block normally covering said contacts, means for shiftably mounting said block Within the casing, whereby said block may be shifted to uncover one of said contacts while covering the other contact, means for shifting said block to cover one contact and uncover the other contact, and a hinged yoke contact, both legs of which rest upon the nonconducting cam block when the latter is in its central position, but free through one leg to engage the contact uncovered by the shiftable cam block.

3. A turn-indicator control comprising a casing, an actuator block, means for shiftably mounting said actuator block within the casing, a rod for shifting said actuator block, a metal U-shaped projection on said block, a piece of non-conducting material fitted within said U- shaped projection, a contact pin hinged at one end within said casing and free at its other end to rest upon the non-conducting piece on the actuator block, a fixed contact within said casing, a contact carried by said pin, the last-named contact being suspended by the pin above the fixed contact when said pin rests upon the nonconducting piece carried by the U-shaped projection, said pin being free to contact the body of the actuator block when on either side of said U-shaped projection, and means for drawing said pin downwardly to contact the body of the actuator block and to carry the suspended con tact into engagement with the fixed contact when said actuator block is shifted by the rod to clear the .pin.

4. A turn-indicator control comprising a casing, an actuator block, means for shiftably mounting said actuator block within the casing, a metal U-shaped projection on said block, a piece of non-conducting material fitted within said U-shaped projection, a contact pin hinged at one end within said casing and free at its other end to rest upon the non-conducting piece on the actuator block, a fixed contact within said casing, a contact carried by said pin, the last-named contact being suspended by the pin above the fixed contact when said pin rests upon the non-conducting piece carried by the U-shaped projection, said pin being free to contact the body of the actuator block when on either side of said U-shaped projection, means for drawing said .pin downwardly to contact the body of the actuator block and to carry the suspended contact into engagement with the fixed contact when said actuator block clears the pin, and an operating rod secured to the actuator block to shift the latter.

5. A turn-indicator control comprising a casing, an actuator block, means for shiftably mounting said actuator block within the casing, a shoulder on said block, a contact pin hinged at one end within said casing and free at its other end to rest upon said shoulder, a fixed contact within said casing, a contact carried by said pin, and normally suspended by the latter above the fixed contact, a means for drawing said pin downwardly to contact the actuator block and to carry the suspended contact into engagement with the fixed contact when said actuator block clears the pin, spring means engaging the actuator block to urge the shoulder against the pin, pawl means secured to the shiftable actuator block for raising the pin above the shoulder to permit the spring means to return the actuator block to its normal position, and a release finger adapted-to engage the pawl and through it, to raise the contact pin above the shoulder on the actuator block.

6. A turn-indicator control comprising a casing, an actuator block, means for shiftably mounting said actuator block within the casing, a wide shoulder on said block, a contact pin hinged at one end within said casing and free at its other end to rest upon said shoulder, a pair of fixed, alined, contacts within said casing, a yoke contact swingingly secured to said pin, and normally suspended by the latter above the fixed contacts, a spring for drawing said pin downwardly to contact the body of the actuator block, and to engage one leg of said yoke with one of said fixed contacts, when said actuator block clears the pin, a non-conducting member secured to the actuator block for travel under the legs of the yoke to hold one leg thereof out of engagement with one fixed contact when the other leg is in engagement with the other fixed contact, a spring engaging each end of the actuator block to hold it: in its normal middle position, a pair of oppositely disposed pawls pivotally secured to the actuator block, for lifting engagement with said pin, and a release member adapted to engage the pawl directly under the pin, to cause it to elevate the pin above the shoulder on the actuator block, whereupon it will be returned to its normal position by its respective spring.

'7. A turn-indicator control comprising a casing, an actuator block, means for shiftably mounting said actuator block within the casing, a wide shoulder on said block, a contact pin hinged at one end within said casing and free at its other end to rest upon said shoulder, an operating rod secured to each end of said actuator block by which said shoulder may be drawn clear of said pin, a coil spring connected between the free end of the contact pin and the wall of the casing to draw the contact pin downwardly against the actuator block in front of said shoulder when the latter clears said pin, pawl means carried by said actuator block to elevate the contact pin above the shoulder thereon, a release member adapted to engage the pawl means to cause it to elevate the pin above the shoulder on the actuator block, and a coil spring on each rod between the casing wall and the actuator block to force the latter to a neutral middle position when the contact pin is raised above the shoulder by said pawl means.

8. A turn-indicator control comprising a casing, a pair of spaced, alined contacts fixed in said casing, a non-conducting block covering said contacts, means for shiftably mounting said block within the casing, whereby said block may be shifted to cover one of said contacts while uncovering the other contact, means for shifting said block to cover one contact and uncover the other contact, a horizontal contact pin hinged at one end within the casing, a swinging yoke contact on said pin, and means for drawing said pin downwardly to engage one leg of the yoke with one of the fixed contacts when the non-conducting block is moved to a position to uncover said fixed contact.

9. A turn-indicator control comprising a casing, a pair of spaced, alined, fixed contacts therein, a metal actuator block, means for shiftably mounting said actuator block within the casing, a pair of upwardly spaced integral ribs on said block, a non-conducting member on said block between said ribs, a metal contact pin hingedly secured at one end within the casing, the free end of said pin projecting over the actuator block at right angles thereto, and resting upon the non-conducting member on said block when the latter is between the fixed contacts, a spring secured between the casing wall and the free end of the pin to exert a downward pull upon the latter, a rod secured to the block to shift the latter to a position wherein the free end of the contact pin will be drawn downwardly into engagement with said block in front of one of the ribs thereon, pawl means secured to the actuator block for engaging the pin, and a release member to engage the pawl means to force the pin from its position in front of said rib.

CHARLES J. EASTHAM. 

